Garage door operator



July 3, 1956 G. w. HAHN 2,753,179

GARAGE DOOR OPERATOR Filed July 25, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l George fb/06W INVENTOR ATTORNEY my E, A956 G. w. HAHN GARAGE OOOR OPERATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 25, 1955 George W /a/m INVENTOR ATTORNEY GARAGE DOOR OPERATOR George W. Hahn, Dallas, Tex.

Application July 25, 1955-, Serial No. 524,050

9 Claims. (Cl. 268-74) This invention relates to door operators and it has particular reference to mechanism for automatically open ing and closing garage doors.

The invention pertains to the type of garage door which is supported by side frames mounted for rotation about horizontal axes, causing the door to describe an arc in lits opening and closing movements. It is desirable t obviate the need for tracks to guide the door in its travel but heretofore there has been no compensation for the arc the door is required to follow in its opening and closing action, consequently, in trackless door operators, the door frequently becomes wedged at some point between its open and closed positions making it impossible `to either open or close the door.

lt is the principal object of the invention, therefore, to provide a door operator which insures free and easy travel of the door in its opening and closing movements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a trackless door operator which is automatic in its operation and which is designed to pull rather than to push the door toward closed position, thus` avoiding the likelihood that the door will become wedged in its travel, resulting in possible damage to the operating mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic and trackless door operator equipped with means for converting automatic into manual operation.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide pneumatic means for cushioning opening and closing shocks, said pneumatic means being likewise effective to insure full opening and full closing of the door.

Broadly, the invention consists of a horizontal overhead track in which travels one lead of a motor driven chain to which is releasably attached an actuating block which engages and moves an additional block, one on each side thereof, depending upon the direction of travel of the first block. The additional blocks have longitudinal bores through which the lead of the chain freely passes, and to one of said additional blocks is pivoted an end of a door hanger or actuating arm, the opposite end thereof being connected to the top of the door. To the other of said additional blocks is pivoted one end of a lift link whose opposite end is pivoted to the hanger arm intermediate its ends with the result that as the door approaches the apex of the arc of its travel, the actuating block, in moving ahead of the block supporting the hanger` arm in the closing action of the door, will push against the link supporting block to raise the hanger arm and guide the door through its arc of travel, aided in this action by a pneumatic cylinder and plunger assembly connected between the link and arm, the said assembly also controlling the opening and closing movement of the door. Conversely, in the opening action of the door, the actuating block advances against the arm supporting block and moves away from the link supporting block so that the end of the arm engaging the door will be drawn upwardly by the lift link at the apex of the arc of travel ofthe door, thereby lifting the latter and guiding the same in its course to open position.

`itecl States Patent O Other and lesser objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds when considered with the annexed drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a door operating mechanism embodying the invention and in which the door is shown in section and in closed position.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view, partly in section and on a slightly larger scale.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the door in open position with a dotted line showing of the door in an intermediate position.

Figure 4 is a sectional View of the overhead track taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2, and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of the track taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Continuing with a more detailed description of the drawing, reference numeral 10 denotes generally a garage door suited to the opening 11 of a garage 12. A conventional door supporting frame at each end of the door 10 is composed of a pair of arms 14 whose convergent ends are joined to a bearing 15, mounted on a stub shaft 16 which is secured in any suitable manner to the garage wall 17 or to the studs (not shown) of said wall. The opposite ends of the arms 14 are axed in spaced apart Lrelationship to the door 10. In the opening and closing of the door 10, the supporting frames rotate about the horizontal axes provided by the opposed stub shafts 16.

Aiiixed at one end to the front end wall of the garage l2, by means of a bracket 18, is a track generally indicated by reference numeral 19. This track is formed preferably of hollow metal tubing 20 (Figures 4 and 5) of substantially square shape in transverse section and provided with a longitudinally coextensive slot or opening 21 in one side thereof, ankecl by return tlanges 22. The opposite end of the track 19 is supported by a bracket 23 which is atixed to a motor mounting plate 24, suspended from a joist 25 of the garage ceiling by straps 26 or equiv aient means.

Mounted on the plate 24 is an electric motor 27 whose armature shaft 28 enters a gear reduction housing 29 in which gears drive a shaft 30 extending laterally from the gear housing 29 and whose outer end is supported in a bearing 31 secured to the motor mounting plate 24.

Mounted on the lateral drive shaft 3l) is a sprocket wheel 32 about which extends a sprocket chain 33. At the forward end of the track 19 the chain 33 extends over a sprocket wheel 34 mounted on a shaft 35 carried by the bracket 18. One lead of the chain extends axially through the track 19 while the other lead extends alongside the track exteriorly thereof.

Arranged for longitudinal sliding movement in the track 19 is a block 36 which will sometimes be referred to herein, and in the claims as a hanger actuating block since this block is moved by the chain 33|` to actuate the door hanger and door, unless released therefrom in the manner to be later explained. The actuator block 36 is better shown in Figures 4 and 5 and in Figure 2 it is shown as being interposed between a hanger arm supporting block 37 and a hanger arm lift link supporting block 38.

The hanger arm 39 has its upper end pivoted tothe block 37 by means of a pin or bolt 4l) and at its lower end, the arm 39 is pivoted by means of a pin or bolt 41 to the upper end of a rod 42 which extends through matching holes in the parallel legs 43 of a U-shaped bracket 44 secured to the transverse plate 45 afhxed across the top edge of the door 10. A washer 46 (Figure 2) is affixed to the rod 42 and a coil spring 47 embraces the rod with one end bearing against one leg 43 of the bracket 44 and its opposite end bearing against the washer 46. The spring 47 absorbs such shocks as may be imposed on the door in the initial movements of the hanger arm 39 in opening and closing the door 10.

It is obvious from the foregoing that when the motor 27 is energized in the opening action of the door` 10, the chain lead through the track 19 will travel to the right, viewing the assembly in Figures` l, 2 and 3, and in so moving, the actuating block 36 will travel with it and will advance against the hanger arm supporting block 37. This movement of the block 37 will cause the hanger arm 39 to be pulled towards the rear of the garage and any initial shock will be absorbed by the coil spring 47 so that it will not be imparted to the door 10.

in order that the door 10 may be guided through its arcuate travel, the hanger arm lift link previously mentioned and identified by reference numeral 48, has one end pivoted to the lift link supporting block 38 by means of a pin or bolt 49. The opposite end of the link is connected to the hanger arm 39 intermediate its ends by means of a pivot pin or bolt 50. As the actuating block 36 is moved, it pushes the hanger arm supporting block 37 ahead of it and separates the blocks 37 and 38 which latter is dragged along the track 19 by the link 48. The pivotal points 40 and 49 of the arm 39 and link 48, respectively, become increasingly farther apart, as the door 1t) approaches the apex of its arc of travel, the link pulling upwardly on the hanger arm 39 until the apex is reached and passed.

Conversely, in the closing action of the door 10, the lead of the chain 33 within the track 19 travels toward the front of the garage and carries with it the actuating block 36 which advances against the link supporting block 38, pushing the same away from the hanger arm supporting block 37. This action causes the link 48 to exert a pull on the hanger arm 39 both forwardly and upwardly as the door 10 approaches the apex of its arc of travel. Actually, the door is pulled to closed position by the link 48 which latter constrains the lower end of the hanger arm 39 to move upwardly and forwardly as the door 10 describes an arc in its travel to closed position, hence there is adequate compensation for the arc the door describes in its closing action and as a consequence it is not likely that the door will become wedged or locked by any lateral displacement thereof in an intermediate position.

As an aid to the performance of the hanger arm 39 and the lift link 48, a pneumatic cylinder 51 has one end pivoted by means of a pin 52 to the lift link 48 adjacent its upper end. A plunger 53 reciprocates in the cylinder 51 and has its outer end pivotally joined at SS to the hanger arm 39 adjacent its upper end. The shock absorber produced by the cylinder and plunger assembly aids in keeping the actuator block 36 and the hanger arm supporting block 37 in juxtaposition during the opening action of the door, and the block 36 and block 38 in like position during the closing action of the door. At the apex of arc, the blocks 36 and 38 are at their widest points of separation and the shock absorber is fully extended during the opening movement of the door and when full open position is approached, the shock absorber begins to function to resist such closing action, thereby reducing the shock which would otherwise occur. In the closing action, the blocks 36 and 37 are Widest apart at the apex of the arc and the shock absorber is again fully extended, maintaining full control of the door as it moves to closed position and absorbing the shock of such closing action by letting the door down gently in collaboration with the door counter-balancing spring 56 which is connected at one end to one of the door supporting arms 14 and at its opposite end to some point in the garage toward its rear. This spring is conventional and is only fragmentarily shown.

The means previously referred to for releasably connecting the actuating block 36 and the chain 33 is comprised of an arm 57 (Figures 4 and 5) pivoted on a pin 58 intermediate its ends in a slot 59 in the actuating block 36. The reduced end 60 of the arm 57 engages between the links of the chain 33 in operative position of the arm thereby securing the block 36 for common movement with the chain. To release the block 36 from the chain 33, a latch 61, which normally holds the arm 57 in engagement with the chain 33, is pivoted to the block 36 by means of a screw 62 and has a notch 63 4in its lower edge adjacent one end which receives the outer end of the arm 57. A cord or a length of chain 64 (Figures l, 2, and 5) is attached at one end to the opposite end of the latch arm 61 and depends within easy reach of one standing in the garage. When the chain 64 is pulled downward, the latch arm 61 is rotated on its pivot 62 and its free end is raised to free the arm 57. When the door 10 is manually raised, the block 38 moves against the actuating block 36, displacing the latter and moving the arm 57 to the dotted position shown in Figure 4, in which position the arm is disengaged from the chain, thereby releasing the door for free manual operation independently from the automatic operator. The chain 64 may be extended through an opening in the door 10, if desired, so that it may be accessible from outside the garage.

Operating periods of the motor 27 are made to correspond to the positions of the door 10 by means of a timer 64 (Figures 1 and 2) of conventional manufacture which is electrically connected to the motor 27 to start, stop and reverse the same when the door 10 reaches the limit of its travel to open and closed positions. To control the timer, a disc 66 is mounted on the drive shaft 3i) to turn therewith and has a projection 67 which engages a contact arm 68 of the timer each time the door reaches closed or open position, thus to stop the motor 27 and to reverse the same preparatory to reversing the travel of the door 10.

The relationship and function of the elements of the combination have been set forth in the foregoing description in such detail that a description of operation of the door operator is considered unnecessary.

Manifestly, the construction as shown and described is capable of some modification and such modification as may be construed to fall within the scope and meaning of the appended claims is also considered to be within the spirit and intent of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a door supported for pivotal displacement between vertical and horizontal positions, an operator there- 'for comprising an overhead horizontal track, a link` chain having a lead movable longitudinally through said track` an actuator block attached to said chain lead for sliding movement thereby through said track, a hanger arm pivoted at one end to the top of said door, a hanger arm supporting block slidable in said track adjacent one end of said actuator block and to which the opposite end of said hanger arm is pivoted, a hanger arm lift link pivoted at one end to said hanger arm intermediate its ends, a link supporting block slidable in said track adjacent the opposite end of said actuator block and to which the opposite end of said link is pivoted, electrical means for operating said chain to cause said actuator block to move alternately against said link and hanger arm supporting blocks as said door is raised and lowered, said link being effective to constrain said hanger arm to follow the arcuate travel of said door during its raising and lowering movements and pneumatic means interconnecting said link and hanger arm to maintain relative spacing of their respective supporting blocks.

2. In a door mounted for pivotal movement between vertical and horizontal positions, an operator therefor comprising a horizontal overhead track, an endless ilexible element having a lead movable axially through said track, a door hanger arm pivoted at one end to the top of said door, a hanger arm supporting block slidable longitudinally in said track independently of the lead of said flexible element and to which the opposite end of said hanger arm is pivoted, a hanger arm lift link pivoted at one end to said hanger arm, a link supporting block slidable longitudinally in said track independently of said lead and to which the opposite end of said link is pivoted, an actuator block connected to said lead and slidable longitudinally in said track intermediate said hanger arm and link supporting blocks and adapted for alternate engagement with said blocks during opening and closing movements of said door, said link lifting said hanger arm in an arcuate path corresponding to the travel of said door and electrically energizable means for operating said flexible element.

3. The structure of claim 2, and pneumatic shock absorbing means connected between said link and said hanger arm intermediate their ends for controlling the relative sliding action of said link and hanger arm supporting blocks in said track and for dampening the opening and closing shocks of said door.

4. The structure of claim 2, and means for disengaging said actuator block from said exible element to free said door for manual operation.

5. In a door mounted for pivotal movement between vertical and horizontal positions, an automatic operator comprising a horizontal overhead track, a chain having a lead movable axially through said track, a first block slidable longitudinally in said track independently of said chain lead, a hanger arm pivoted at one end to said first block and at its opposite end to said door, a second block slidable in said track independently of said chain lead, a third block connected to said chain lead and slidable 1ongitudinally in said track between said iirst and second blocks and adapted for alternate engagement therewith to open and close said door, means for driving said chain and means pivotally connected between said second block and said hanger arm to constrain the latter to follow the arcuate course of said door in its opening and closing actions.

6. A door operator comprising, in combination with a door mounted for pivotal displacement between vertical and horizontal positions, an overhead track, a chain having a lead movable longitudinally through said track, a iirst member coniined for longitudinal sliding movement in said track independently of said chain lead, an arm pivoted at one end to said first member and at its opposite end to the top of said door, a second member confined for longitudinal sliding movement in said track and secured to said chain lead for actuation thereby and adapted to move against said rst member to pull said door to open position through said arm, a third member confined for longitudinal sliding movement in said track independent of said chain lead and against which said second member is moved in the closing action of said door, a link pivotally connected between said third member and said arm for exerting a closing force on said door through said arm and for constraining said arm to follow the arcuate course of said door in its opening and closing actions and electrically actuated means for driving said chain.

7. The structure of claim 6, and pneumatic means piv otally interconnected between said link and said arm for absorbing opening and closing shocks on said door.

8. The structure of claim 6, and means for disengaging said second member from said chain lead to free said door for manual operation.

9. The structure of claim 6 wherein said arm is resiliently connected to said door.

No references cited. 

